JHS' Heatherly in 2 soccer all-star games

Jacksonville defender Blake Heatherly takes a shot during a playoff game against Wilson Hunt last fall. Heatherly will play in a pair of prestigious all-star games in July.

John Sudbrink/The Daily News

By Chris Miller-Prep Sports Writer/The Daily News

Published: Friday, April 19, 2013 at 10:00 AM.

Blake Heatherly has definitely kept his options open when it comes to deciding his college soccer plans.

The Jacksonville High senior defender said he’s been interested in Randolph College for some time, but that Charlotte recently contacted him, prompting the 17-year-old Heatherly to think again about his future.

But regardless of where Heatherly winds up at the next level, he knows one thing for sure: playing in a couple of prestigious all-star games this summer will help him in college.

Heatherly, who helped Jacksonville to its second state 3-A title in program history last fall, will play in both the Clash of the Carolinas and the N.C. Coaches Association East-West all-star games in July.

The Clash of the Carolinas, which features the best seniors from North Carolina against the best from South Carolina, is July 6 at Blackbaud Stadium in Daniel Island, S.C. The East-West game, which features the best seniors from each of this state’s regions, is July 23 at UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro.

“I’m excited. It’s a big honor and I’m looking forward to them because they will be a good experience for sure,” Heatherly said. “I’m definitely looking to have a good time and I look forward to meeting all the different talent brought in and see what I have to look forward to.

“This gives me a good example, talent-wise. I will give it my all and try to perform to the best of my ability. I look forward to moving on to the next level and seeing the talent that’s out there.”

Blake Heatherly has definitely kept his options open when it comes to deciding his college soccer plans.

The Jacksonville High senior defender said he’s been interested in Randolph College for some time, but that Charlotte recently contacted him, prompting the 17-year-old Heatherly to think again about his future.

But regardless of where Heatherly winds up at the next level, he knows one thing for sure: playing in a couple of prestigious all-star games this summer will help him in college.

Heatherly, who helped Jacksonville to its second state 3-A title in program history last fall, will play in both the Clash of the Carolinas and the N.C. Coaches Association East-West all-star games in July.

The Clash of the Carolinas, which features the best seniors from North Carolina against the best from South Carolina, is July 6 at Blackbaud Stadium in Daniel Island, S.C. The East-West game, which features the best seniors from each of this state’s regions, is July 23 at UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro.

“I’m excited. It’s a big honor and I’m looking forward to them because they will be a good experience for sure,” Heatherly said. “I’m definitely looking to have a good time and I look forward to meeting all the different talent brought in and see what I have to look forward to.

“This gives me a good example, talent-wise. I will give it my all and try to perform to the best of my ability. I look forward to moving on to the next level and seeing the talent that’s out there.”

Heatherly also knows playing with and against other good players will help him learn what he needs to improve on before college. He already understand some of the things he need to progress.

“I definitely need to work on my fitness and endurance,” Heatherly said. “I’m just looking at being quick and getting the ball off my feet.”

Heatherly, an all-state player and The Daily News defensive player of the year last year, brings versatility to his two all-star teams. He finished with 14 goals and 15 assists while also being Jacksonville’s main defender. He was known for playing the ball from the back and taking forward to help in the Cardinals’ attack.

“Blake is solid in the back and he’s going to give them an opportunity to score goals from the back,” Jacksonville coach Dave Miller said. “This should be a good experience for him.”